HIGH SCHOOLS
Baseball and softball updates around Houston.
Tigers take down Kempner 1
Kempner began the week in sole possession of first in District 20-6A. Hopefully, it’s OK with sharing. The Cougars fell 2-1 to Travis on Tuesday, creating a three-way tie atop the standings with the Tigers and Ridge Point, who took 6-1 records into the second round of district. Kempner was ranked higher than Travis in the Texas High School Baseball Class 6A Top 25, checking in at No. 3 this week, but that, too, is likely to change after the ninth-ranked Tigers’ victory. Pitcher Ryan Rickett picked up a complete-game win after working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and also supplied a key insurance run with a bases-loaded walk after Jaren Burks’ solo home run in the fifth. Now the Cougars face another huge test, taking on Ridge Point, which beat Travis (3-2) but lost 6-1 to them the first round. Kempner and Ridge Point meet at 6 p.m. Friday at Ridge Point. “We’re going to try to put this one behind us as quick as we can,” Kempner coach Marc Jones told the Chronicle. “It doesn’t get any easier for us, so we’re out of the frying pan (and) right back into the fire.
Oak Ridge topples The Woodlands 2
The state-ranked Highlanders had troubles of their own this week on the road, falling 3-0 to rival Oak Ridge, which started District 12-6A play 0-3, including a 1-0 loss to The Woodlands. Now the War Eagles are 5-3 after their fifth consecutive district win, capped by Tyler Davis’ complete-game shutout Tuesday. Davis held the Highlanders to only two hits in the War Eagles’ fourth straight shutout victory. He also fanned six and walked only two, helping their surging offense take control. Logan Letney picked up two RBI singles off The Woodlands starter David Fontenot, and Ryan Eshelman’s RBI double plated the other run. The Eagles and Highlanders meet again at 7 p.m. Friday at The Woodlands.
Spartans in control of 19-6A 3
Seven Lakes also started district in a hole, losing 1-0 to Tompkins in its 19-6A opener. Six games later, it’s all alone in first with a 6-1 record after Tuesday’s 5-0 shutout of Morton Ranch. The Falcons, meanwhile, stumbled through their last six outings, going 3-3 to end the first half of district at 4-3 following a 7-6 setback with Cinco Ranch. Hard-hitting Katy is right behind the Spartans at 5-2, though, after scoring double-digit runs for the fourth straight game in their 10-2 win over Mayde Creek to start the week, so they can’t let up, and they have a big rematch next. The Spartans and Falcons meet again Friday at Seven Lakes.
State baseball rankings 4
George Ranch, with one loss on the season – 3-1 to Stratford on March 4 – maintained its place at No. 1 in the 6A rankings again this week. Kempner moved up one spot to No. 3, but likely will fall back next week, Atascocita is fourth, Lamar fifth, Cypress Ranch sixth, Deer Park seventh, and Kingwood is sitting at No. 11. Magnolia slipped from fifth to 11th, but still paces the area’s 5As. Brenham is No. 14.
Oilers heating up 5
The Pearland softball team was barely above .500 after 20 games, but they’re playing well now, notching their second straight 15-0 win this week to move into first place in District 23-6A. They needed only three innings to run-rule Alief Taylor, with Adrianna Chavarria and Natalie Trujillo combining for the win in the circle and Lauren Shepherd supplying two of their 16 hits with two RBIs. The Oilers also beat Elsik 15-0 last week.
Kingwood is Atascocita’s kryptonite 6
Atascocita has two losses this season – both to rival Kingwood. The Mustangs jumped on the Eagles again last week, winning 7-4 at Kingwood to solidify their hold on first in 21-6A. Jourdyn Campbell produced two of their three home runs – both two-run bombs over center. The two teams meet in last year’s Region II-6A final, and they’re looking to meet up again in the same round this year – only in Region III.
Lions springing ahead 7
The Spring Lions are continuing their steady climb under coach Julie Wyrick, who guided them to their fourth straight playoff appearance last year. They’re 10-0 in 16-6A after destroying Davis 18-0 this week. They clobbered Eisenhower (27-0) last week and beat Aldine 32-0 on March 7. In fact, the No. 6 Lions outscored their 10 district foes 185-4, with all four runs in a 10-4 win over Nimitz.
State softball rankings 8
Katy moved up one spot to No. 2 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s 6A poll this week. MacArthur is No. 3, Kingwood is fourth and Alvin is into the top 10 at No. 10. Atascocita dropped from fourth to 13th. In 5A, Foster tumbled from second to 12th, behind No. 6 Angleton and No. 8 Barbers Hill. Willis is No. 1.
Kempner vs. Ridge Point baseball, 6 p.m. Friday, Ridge Point 9
The Cougars another take big test against the Panthers, who are coming off a 17-1 win over Hightower, as they try to stay on track for a rematch with Travis in their district finale.
Oak Ridge vs. The Woodlands baseball, 7 p.m. Friday, The Woodlands 10
The two District 12-6A powers split their first two meetings. The War Eagles won 3-0 Tuesday but are likely to see Steven Beard, who beat them 1-0 on March 17, in decisive Game 3.
Alvin vs. Clear Creek softball, 7 p.m. Friday, Clear Creek 11
The state-ranked Yellowjackets, who are leading 24-6A at 8-1, take on the Wildcats, who are tied for second with Clear Falls at 6-3, in a key title, with both teams coming off big wins.